The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-03
MAI. BEN: PERLEY POORE.

MAI. BEN PERLEY POORE.
His Famous Indian Hill Farm in Massachu
setts-A Great Mansion.
Philadelphia Times.
There was spot in all the earth half so dear
to Major Poore as his beautiful rural nome at
indian Hill Farm, Newburyport Mass.
Not q summer passed without finding him there
In the healthfui seclusion OF retreat which has
remained in unbroken possession of his paternai
ancestors for seven generations. As you drive
up the highway, under the matted branches of
the heavy apple trees, you are apprsed of the
residence by the low stone walls, scrupuously
white, which begin to rise at the foot of
the hill and then decline on the other side
until they are lost beneath the thick hrubbery.
The entrance to the farm is guarded by sullen
cannon, back of which deer gazes intently at
the lane leading to the old mansion. which is
crescent shape combination of stone houses with
low ceilings and diamond shaped windows,
were common in England couple of centuries
since. A porch supported by four trunks over
run with clematis, woodbine, Southern honey
suckle, bitter sweet and climbing roses marks
and shades the doorway of the houses, which are
connected in the interior and face toward the
southeast. overlooking lofty elm. hickory, ash.
lesser brethren, the apple and pear. diversified
by shrubbery and undulating ground bright with
vegetation
Brown-stone walls about three feet high, di-
vide the various departments of the farm and
are used instead of wood fences, usual Gus
tom in New England Southwark lie the gar
which separated by serpentine paths that
wind their ways into the vine clad summer
house, whore one can rest and lnhale the lnvig-
Grating breezes as they sweep over the cap or
Indian Hill tall flagstaff marks the OBJ
servatory the crest of the hill, from which
the eye commands beautiful panoramic view.
Five miles to the north rise the church spires of
Newburyport, and just beyond glIstens the
changeful Merrimac river and the restless
ocean, while to the westward, IN picturesque
serenity. are teeming meadows towering hills,
crumbing rocks and stately trees-mute SEN
tinels of silent generation. 10 the south,
nesting snugly at the foot of the hill. is the
barn, and upon rich pasture land adjoining
browse the blooded horses. The eastern view
compasses rugged scenery at distance. and
nearer home the herd of white Durb ans grazing
in their domain of luxuriant meadow grasses.
A eraveled path leads up to the mansion
house" would not convey any idea Of its proper
tions-over whose entrance hang the antlers and
skull of a Russian reindeer, with the emblem of
good luck. horse shoe, suspended from its nos
trils.
Entering the mansion is not unlike transi-
ton of scene and time from the nineteenth to
the seventeenth century. The hall is the grand
attraction. It extends upward to the roof with
spiral stairways, is lighted through stained glass
and decorated with suiIs of armor landscapes.
the work of masters, and articles of vertu made
valuable by age. On the left of the hall is the
dining room. Over the mantel is a portrait of
the owner taken in Oriental costume. In which
he crossed the desert On the right of the
hall are four parlors, SO arranged as to be
thrown into one when social demands require.
and on every side evidences of cultivation in
matters Of taste and refined suggestiveness and
libraries bending with all the popular standard
works There are sixty rooms in the peaceful
retreat, and every one contains precious frag
ments of history, private and national. Some
of them quiet and the cabinets inviting
that the honey bees have made homes in them
and the wasps pass and return through them, and
loiter without fear. The study is an octagonal
room in the eastern extremity of the mansion,
ard is crowded with gems such scholars love
to cherish, and about which antiauarians rave.
The Major often used the identical desk which
John Quincy Adams occupied in the old Hall of
Representatives at Washington. The books are
of all kinds, being specially complete agri-
culture, q study that the owner loved ardently
and pursued successfully, particularly in forestry
and the involved problems of culture and Suita
bility of soil.
But the Major forsook his cool study when
the pressure of work made it desirable to com
bine some of the natural with the animal heat,
and he could then be found in a commodious
double room on the second floor. which is pa
pered with shelves and pigeon holes, and fur
nished with all the machinery of trained
journalist. 1t was the writer's fortune to be
his guest during vacation--which belied It's
owing to the probable early demise of
General Grant. 1t at Indian
Hill Farm, a delightful place, where the
visitor finds the strong hand of order every
where conspicuous. From the insignificant nail
to the important phaeton everything has APP
pointed place Order, regularity and punctual-
ity exacted stringently The great house is
regulated with bell, which. at in the morn
ing, to the minute rings the family awake,
fast. At o'clock, on work days, the
Major slowly ascended to his desk on
the second floor. removed his coat. vest
and collar, and began the combat. He dictated,
in a clear, ringing tone. at the rate of one hun
dred words minute, to his stenographer, who
faced him at an opposite desk. While debating
he was active at slicng clippings. fencing in par
agraphs and umbering them for insertion in
the copy. Frequently he arose, and walked to
table TO consult ponderous book containing all
his voluminous correspondence with the news
papers since 1886. which, with a very few
exceptions, is signed either with his full or his
middle name He also tapped the different pig
con holes, in which he kept twenty-five years of
clippings concerning the social life at Washing
ton each administration entirely by itself; and
other bins containing clippings on Freemasonry,
forestry, autographs and topics ID which he had
an especial interest. Anything that met his eye
and challe nged his attention was carefully filed
for reference
exhibited pardonable pride is common wheel
barrow upon which he wheeled barrel of
applies. of his own raising, from Indian
Hill Farm to Boston, distance of thirty-six and
a half miles, in payment of wager made dur
ing the heated presidential campaign of 1856.
1t was an immense task, but faithfully per-
formed and was cheered by music. speeches
and fowers-in fact, it was turned into
ovation, and at the journeys end the apples
were sold for very round sum. The Major en-
joyed telling how the winner of the bet offered
to relent. how the people along the road jibed
and cheered him, how willing the farmers were
to carry the procession but how persistently he
refused This performance whirled Major
Poore into prominence and public favor, which
he never lost
He also loved to show visitors his Masonic
lodge esconced in the cedars the hill and
log cabin which he built himself in Western
fashion There is much interest attached to the
forty five chestnut trees, which shade of the
most beautiful paths. These were imported
specially and, being rare in that section, are
objects of genuine wonder. Major Poore was
excessively particular about his papers
and could not bear the presence of a sluggard.
While working he lost sight of his dress and APP
pearance but when at leisure he appeared at
tired in snug-itting broadcloth and a
broad brimmed beaver. He had favorite
bench where he conversed with the foreman of
his farm and enjoyed the cool of the evening.
He took many carriage rides. and on holidays
state occasions was to be found in nelghboring
towns, speech making.